BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met here on Friday with a delegation of overseas Chinese youth in the Great Hall of the People.

Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, welcomed the visit of the delegation. He said he thought highly of this cultural exchange activity for its contributions on the understanding of Chinese culture and modern China for those overseas youth of Chinese origin.

Jia briefed the group on China's great achievements during its 30 years of reform and opening up. He also introduced the latest news about the quake reconstruction work and the preparation tasksfor the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games.

He particularly appreciated the generous donations from a large number of Chinese youth abroad.

Jia encouraged all overseas Chinese youth to learn from both Eastern and Western cultures and make their own contributions for the good friendships between China and other countries.

The overseas Chinese youth delegation started its yearly trip to China in 1999 under the China Synergy Program (CSP). Each year about 100 to 200 outstanding youth of Chinese origin are chosen from various countries to tour around China. All the participants must be undergraduate or postgraduates students.

This year, about 200 overseas students came to China to visit Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai to meet with local youth and prominent leaders. They are staying in China from July 1 to 17.